May 18, 2020
Mark 10:21-28
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

New International Version (NIV)
Can you think of anything that would make you run?  I may have mentioned that a momma moose put me on the run last year in Glacier Park.  Imagine what Jesus thought when a man ran up to him and asked him how to inherit eternal life.  These were the kinds of people that Jesus was looking for.  Put together with the other gospels, we believe he was a rich young ruler.  Jesus mentioned the commandments, and he answered, “I have kept all of the commandments since I was very young.”  He has so much desire, until he realizes the demand. 

Jesus’ next words startled the young man.  Sell everything you have, give the money away and come and follow me.  The ruler was better at rules than relationships.  If Jesus could have just told him to keep trying hard, he would have been all in.  But Jesus knows people.  He knew that wealth was more important to the man than being in God’s Kingdom.  So he asked him to give it up to follow him.  Will his desire for life enable him to make the right decision?  No. This was a deal-breaker.  So the man who came running up walked sadly and slowly away.

Wait.  Didn’t Jesus run after him and renegotiate?  This guy was a prize.  He would have brought a lot of religious credibility to Jesus and his group.  No.  Jesus just watched him walk away and said it is impossible to love money first and also follow Jesus in the Kingdom.  Circled around Jesus were people like Peter described:  “Lord we have left everything to follow you.”  The point of being in the Kingdom is, of course, that God is King.  He must be first in our lives.  Think carefully:  is anything more important to you than God?  The Lord of the universe is not willing to be second or third or fourth in anyone’s life.  He is either Lord of all or not Lord at all.  Who is he to us?

Pray with me:         
Father, we thank you for your standing invitation to life.  Help us first to seek your Kingdom and righteousness today.  We trust you to give us everything we need today for life and godliness.  If anything is more important to us than you, reveal that to us.  Let us run after you as those who hunger and thirst for your righteousness.  So fill our lives with your Spirit that we are not forever looking for something else, something less to take your place.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.    
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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